Artificial airway device and method of its use

ABSTRACT

An artificial airway device used to facilitate lung ventilation in an unconscious patient, and methods for using and inserting an artificial airway device. The device includes a curved but flexible airway tube and a mask portion. A mask opening portion is shaped so as to fit closely adjacent and closely over the patient&#39;s laryngeal opening. A seating tip includes a series of thin, flexible fins or gills which project from a finger portion extending from the mask opening portion. The fins or gills seat against the pharyngeal side of the cricoid, just above the esophagus. The mask portion can be anchored against a relatively hard surface without causing damage to delicate tissue in the esophagus. The seating tip provides a reference for the person inserting the artificial airway device which ensures that the mask portion is properly in place and adequately anchored. The artificial airway also includes an inflatable cuff used to anchor the artificial airway in place.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to artificial airway devices used tofacilitate lung ventilation in unconscious patients, and morespecifically to devices designed for placement above the laryngealopening of the patient in order to prevent airway obstruction and topermit either spontaneous or controlled ventilation.

2. Description of Related Art

To maintain open the airway of an unconscious patient under generalanesthesia, it is common practice to use an endotracheal tube, which isa flexible tube of rubber or plastic which is inserted down through thetrachea. Prior art endotracheal tubes frequently include an inflatablecuff disposed symmetrically around a distal end of the tube, whichdistal end is inserted into the trachea. The inflatable cuff is used toseal and secure the endotracheal tube in place.

Typically, the endotracheal tube is introduced through mouth or nose andthe larynx into the trachea or windpipe, and then the cuff is inflatedthrough a small auxiliary tube in order to form a seal against the wallof the trachea. Introduction of the endotracheal tube into a patient isa skilled operation normally requiring use of a laryngoscope to guidethe tube through the larynx, past the vocal cords and into the trachea.Intubation using an endotracheal tube is difficult or even impossible insome patients. Moreover, there is a significant risk of damage to softtissues or to the larynx when using an endotracheal tube. Likewise,there is a risk of accidental, but highly undesirable, intubation of theesophagus or of the right or left main bronchus when using anendotracheal tube.

Alternatively, oro- or naso-pharyngeal airway devices may be used tomaintain open the airway of a patient under general anesthesia. An oro-or naso-pharyngeal airway is a flexible tube extending from the mouth(oro-pharyngeal airway) or nose (naso-pharyngeal airway) into thepatient's pharynx but not into the patient's larynx. An oro- ornaso-pharyngeal airway is normally used in conjunction with a face maskover the patient's mouth and/or nose, unlike an endotracheal tube, whichnormally is not used with a mask. While preventing obstruction of theairway by the tongue, an oro- or naso-pharyngeal airway device cannot beused conveniently for controlled ventilation of the patient and does notprevent inhalation of extraneous matter (i.e., aspiration). For theseand other reasons this type of device is less desirable in manyapplications.

Prior art artificial airways (see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,509,514;4,995,388; 5,241,956; 5,249,571; 5,282,464; 5,297,547; 5,305,743;5,355,879; 5,584,290; 5,632,271 and 5,682,880 to Archibald I. J.Brain—collectively, the “Brain patents”) use a curved tube and alaryngeal mask portion at one end of the tube. The mask portion includesa flexible annular inflatable collar which surrounds a hollow interiorspace of the mask portion. The mask portion is pre-formed with a roughlyelliptical shape which is purported to be capable of conforming to, andfitting within, the space behind the larynx to form a seal around thecircumference of the laryngeal inlet without penetrating into theinterior of the larynx. The curved tube opens into the mask portion andprovides an airway with the axis of the tube substantially aligned withthe length of the elliptical formation of the mask portion.

In the Brain patents, the curved tube opens into a lumen of the maskthrough an aperture which is provided with flexible cross-bars toprevent the aperture from being obstructed by the epiglottis, whilepermitting passage of a second smaller tube, such as an endotracheal orendobronchial tube, a suction catheter, or an inspection tube such as afiber-optic broncho- or laryngoscope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an artificial airway device which is designedto overcome certain shortcomings which have been discovered with theuse, in practice, of artificial airways of the prior art. The presentinvention is also designed to be inexpensive, to be easy to insertwithout causing damage to the patient and without the need for alaryngoscope or other inspection instruments, and to provide aneffective airway which is not readily blocked or obstructed during use.

The present invention is inexpensive to use and easy to insert andtherefore appropriate for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) use. Thisprovides advantages over the prior art; the airway devices as shown inthe Brain patents can have a tendency for the uninflated collar to pleator fold during insertion, which results in incomplete expansion of thecollar during inflation. Incomplete inflation results in leakage, whichprevents effective use of the artificial airway in the manner in whichit is intended to be used. Furthermore, the inflatable collars often donot conform well to the airway, also resulting in leakage. In addition,it is often difficult for the individual inserting the artificialairways shown in the Brain patents to determine whether the inflatablecollar is completely inflated. In order to overcome these inflation andleakage problems, artificial airways with inflatable collars are oftenoverinflated by the individual inserting the airway to pressuressufficiently high that they can cause damage to the soft tissue againstwhich the inflatable collar seals.

Another difficulty with prior art artificial airways using an inflatablecollar, as in the Brain patents, is that it is often difficult for theindividual inserting the airway to determine when the airway mask isproperly in place over the larynx. This uncertainty of proper placementmakes complete sealing more difficult, and also complicates insertion ofthe airway into the patient. Because of this difficulty, the artificialairways of the Brain patents are generally not suitable for EMS use.Additionally, artificial airways with inflatable collars, because theymust be completely inflated to properly seal, require a large number ofsizes to accommodate the different sizes of airways of the patients towhich they are administered. Endotracheal tubes and oro- ornaso-pharyngeal airways are also generally not suitable for use by EMSpersonnel.

Prior art artificial airways can also cause difficulties in ensuringthat the artificial airway, or parts of the airway, does notaccidentally enter the esophagus during insertion. Entry into theesophagus can cause damage to delicate tissues, which is undesirable andcan cause severe complications for the patient. Furthermore, the priorart artificial airways often do not have adequate mechanisms to securelyanchor the device in place after insertion, a feature which isimportant, particularly in EMS use.

The present invention is an artificial airway device used to facilitatelung ventilation in an unconscious patient and methods for using andinserting an artificial airway device, all of which overcome theshortcomings of prior art artificial airway devices. The device of thepresent invention includes a curved but flexible airway tube and a maskportion, which mask portion includes a mask opening portion and aseating tip. The mask portion is attached to the airway tube at a distalend of the airway tube. The mask opening portion is shaped so as to fitclosely adjacent and closely over the patient's laryngeal openingwithout entering into the larynx and without requiring the mask openingportion to be sealed against the larynx or laryngeal opening. Theseating tip includes a series of thin, flexible fins or gills whichproject from a relatively rigid projecting finger extending axiallyfrom, and preferably formed integrally with, the mask opening portion.On one side of the seating tip, at least some of the fins or gills canhave an undulating shape across their width, in one embodiment of theinvention, to compensate for flexing or expansion of the seating tip asit seats in position. The fins or gills seat against the pharyngeal sideof the cricoid, just above the esophagus. In this way, the mask can beproperly located above the laryngeal opening, and can be anchoredagainst a relatively hard surface without causing damage to delicatetissue in the esophagus or delicate tissue in or around the larynx orlaryngeal opening. The seating tip, and its placement against thepharyngeal side of the cricoid, therefore provides a reference for theperson inserting the artificial airway device which ensures that themask opening portion is properly in place and adequately anchored orseated in place. The interaction between the seating tip and thepharyngeal side of the cricoid helps ensure that the individualinserting the airway accurately positions the mask opening portion, andtherefore the connection to the airway tube, over the patient'slaryngeal opening. The pharyngeal side of the cricoid also serves as arelatively rigid anchoring area for the mask portion, thereby ensuringthat the mask opening portion remains in position closely adjacent andclosely surrounding the laryngeal opening. The mask opening portion isshaped to conform to the space around the laryngeal opening, therebyproviding an airway to the laryngeal opening without having to form aseal around the circumference of the laryngeal opening and withoutpenetrating into the interior of the larynx or the entrance to theesophagus.

The shape of the mask opening portion ensures that it closelyapproximates the shape of the laryngeal opening. Because the artificialairway of the present device is not required to seal against thelaryngeal opening, and because the seating tip of the present inventionis designed to anchor or seat against the relatively rigid pharyngealside of the cricoid, only a few artificial airway sizes are needed toaccommodate a wide range of patient airway sizes, therefore reducing thenumber of artificial airway sizes needed. This feature of the presentinvention also reduces costs, and makes the present invention moreamenable to EMS use, since fewer devices, and less storage space, isneeded by the EMS crew. In addition, the seating of the seating tipagainst the pharyngeal side of the cricoid provides a good tactileindication when the mask opening portion is properly in place in theairway, thereby enhancing the ease and accuracy of insertion of theartificial airway in the patient.

The artificial airway of the present invention is designed to be easyand convenient to insert in the majority of patients. The artificialairway may also be inexpensively manufactured in quantity, therebyallowing it to be disposable. As a result, the artificial airway of thepresent invention may be more readily used in EMS or other non-hospitalapplications, as well as in surgical applications. When the seating tipof the mask portion reaches the pharyngeal side of the cricoid above theesophagus, a definite end-point can be felt by the individual insertingthe artificial airway, indicating that the mask portion is correctlyplaced. The mask portion does not enter the larynx or trachea, and theseating tip does not enter the esophagus, so the risk of damage to thesedelicate structures is avoided.

Likewise, the risk of accidental entry of the mask portion into theesophagus or one of the main bronchi is also avoided with use of theartificial airway of the present invention. Once in place, theartificial airway is generally used to allow the lungs to be ventilatedby positive pressure. Alternatively, the patient may be permitted tobreathe spontaneously after insertion of the artificial airway of thepresent invention.

The seating tip of the present invention may provide some degree ofblockage so as to prevent gastric reflux from the stomach and aspirationinto the patient's airway, making the artificial airway of the presentinvention more adaptable to emergency and EMS use, as well as adaptableto a larger variety of surgical applications than prior art artificialairways.

The present invention also includes an inflatable cuff used to anchorthe artificial airway in place using the patient's tongue andoro-pharynx behind the uvula. This inflatable cuff is preferably offsetrelative to the airway tube. The offset of the inflatable cuff helps toensure that the mask opening portion is held closely near the laryngealopening, thereby allowing more effective operation of the artificialairway device. The inflatable cuff may be deflated so that theartificial airway device may be more easily inserted into the patient,and thereafter inflated to anchor the artificial airway device in place.

In the method of insertion of an artificial airway according to thepresent invention, the inflatable cuff is first deflated. The artificialairway is lubricated, and then inserted down the patient's oral cavity.The seating tip of the artificial airway is fed along the hard and softpalate, the back of the oropharynx, and into the cricopharynx adjacentthe cricoid. When resistance is felt due to interaction between theseating tip and the cricoid, insertion is halted. The artificial airwayis then pulled back slightly, to lift the epiglottis away from the maskopening and so that the inflatable cuff is just behind the uvula. Theinflatable cuff is then inflated. The patient may then be ventilated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thespecification and claims, when considered in connection with theattached sheets of drawings, illustrating different forms of theinvention, wherein like characters represent like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the artificial airwaydevice of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the mask portion used with theembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of a second embodiment of a mask portionwhich may be used with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of a mask portionused with airway device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a partially cross-sectional view of the artificial airwaydevice of the present invention, as inserted in the airway of a patient,prior to retraction and inflation.

FIG. 8 is a partially cross-sectional view of the artificial airwaydevice of the present invention, as inserted in the airway of a patient,after retraction and inflation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the artificial airwayof the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a mask portion100 is connected to a partially curved airway tube 200 which includes aconnection end 300. Connection end 300 may be connected to any knowndevice or mechanism for providing artificial or spontaneous ventilationof a patient and/or for providing oxygen, air, anesthesia or other gasesto the respiratory system of the patient. An inflation fluid supply unit400 with a fluid connector 403 is also shown in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mask portion 100 includes aopening portion 110 and a seating tip 120 extending axially outwardlyfrom the mask opening portion 110. The mask portion 100 is preferablyintegrally formed in one piece, and includes an opening 101 whichsecurely receives a distal end 201 of the airway tube 200.

The airway tube 200 is assembled into the opening 101 and fixed to themask portion 100, using any appropriate attachment technique ormechanism. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the airway tube 200 ismade of a material which is sufficiently flexible to permit it to deformso as to fit down the patient's airway (see FIGS. 7 and 8), but is alsosufficiently stiff to permit the airway tube 200 and the mask portion100 to be accurately positioned manually in the patient P. Polyvinylchloride (PVC), or any other known inexpensive, durable and partiallyflexible material may be used as the material from which the airway tube200 is made.

The airway tube 200 includes a large central bore 204 through whichvarious gases (e.g., anesthesia, oxygen, air) can be administered to thepatient, if and when desired. In addition, the airway tube 200 includesa small conduit 202 in the tube wall. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,the small conduit 202 would be located on the underside (shown on theright in FIG. 1) of the airway tube 200. The small conduit 202 is usedto transmit a fluid into and out of the interior of the inflatable cuff800 to inflate and deflate the inflatable cuff 800, and is connected tothe fluid supply unit 400.

The inflatable cuff 800, which is in the form of a fluid-expandablepillow or cuff, is mounted on the shaft of the airway tube 200, in alocation on the tube 200 where it is adjacent the tongue T and behindthe uvula U of the patient P in the pharynx when the mask openingportion 110 of the present invention is in place over the larynx L (seeFIGS. 7 and 8). As shown in FIG. 1, the inflatable cuff 800 is offsetrelative to the airway tube 200, such that one side 801 of theinflatable cuff 800 extends a greater distance away from the airway tube200 than the other side 802. The side 801 which extends a greaterdistance from the airway tube 200 is preferably located opposite themask opening 111 of the mask opening portion 110. As a result, and asmay be seen in FIG. 8, the mask opening portion 110 is located closelyadjacent the laryngeal opening over the larynx L of the patient P whenthe artificial airway of the present invention is in place and theseating tip 120 is seated against the pharyngeal side of the cricoid C.During insertion of the artificial airway of the present invention intothe airway of the patient P, the inflatable cuff 800 is in a contractedposition (shown in FIG. 7). An opening 203 through the wall of airwaytube 200 leads from the small conduit 202 to the interior of theinflatable cuff 800. Once the artificial airway of the present inventionis in place with the mask opening portion 110 over the laryngeal openingof the larynx L, fluid may be applied to connector 403, therebyexpanding the inflatable cuff 800 to the condition shown in FIG. 1. Theinflatable cuff 800, in the expanded condition, contacts the tongue T ofthe patient P and the opposed portion of the oro-pharynx behind theuvula U, thereby anchoring the artificial airway of the presentinvention in place within the airway of the patient P.

The mask portion 100 includes an upper or proximal mask opening portion110 and a lower or distal seating tip 120. The mask opening portion 110includes a mask opening 111 which opens into the distal end 201 of thelarge conduit 204 in the airway tube 200, thereby allowing gases to bedelivered to, and drawn from, the patient's respiratory system. The maskopening portion 110 has a shape 112 surrounding the mask opening 111which is designed to approximate the shape of the laryngeal opening ofthe larynx L, thereby covering the laryngeal opening without sealingagainst the tissues surrounding the laryngeal opening. In this way, themask opening portion 110 provides virtually complete coverage of thelaryngeal opening of the larynx L, helping to prevent the incursion oringress of anything into the patient's airway other than the gasesdelivered through the large conduit 204 of the airway tube 200.

The seating tip 120 includes a relatively rigid projecting finger 121which extends from the mask opening portion 110. Extending radiallyoutwardly from the projecting finger 121 are a series of axially spacedthin and flexible fins or gills 122 and/or 125. Fins or gills 122 and/or125 are preferably integrally molded with, and made of the same materialas, the projecting finger 121. In a preferred embodiment, the entiremask portion 100 could be integrally molded in one piece from a durablebiocompatible material such as urethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Thefins or gills 122 and/or 125 are designed so that they have a degree offlexibility, and thereby can be compressed or flexed to conform to thearea above the esophagus E at the pharyngeal side of the cricoid C. Thefins or gills 122 and/or 125 therefore conform and seat against thepharyngeal side of the cricoid C, and the associated area above theesophagus E opposite the pharyngeal side of the cricoid C, therebyanchoring the mask opening portion 110 in the area above the laryngealopening of the larynx L.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show details of the mask portion 100 of FIG. 1. The maskportion 100 includes an upper or proximal mask opening portion 110 and alower or distal seating tip 120. The mask opening portion 110 includesan opening 101 which connects with the large conduit 204 in the airwaytube 200. A flange 102 may at least partially surround the opening 101to assist in assembly of the distal end 201 of airway tube 200 to themask portion 100. The mask opening portion 110 includes a mask opening111 which connects the large conduit 204 of the distal end 201 of airwaytube 200 to the laryngeal opening of the larynx L of the patient P. Asshown in FIG. 3, the mask opening 111 is formed by a plurality ofapertures 142 disposed in and through the surface of the mask openingportion 110. These apertures 142 are used to pass air, oxygen,anesthesia or other gases from the airway tube 200 through the maskportion 100 and into the patient's larynx L. The apertures 142 areseparated from one another by a series of bars 143 forming a grate. Thebars 143 act to restrain any anatomical portion, and in particular theepiglottis G, from entering into and blocking or partially blocking, themask opening 111, thereby preventing obstruction of the delivery orremoval of gases from the respiratory system of the patient P.

As shown in particular in FIG. 3, the mask opening portion 110 can beformed to have a shape 112 which is approximately trapezoidal, whichshape 112 is designed to closely follow the shape of the laryngealopening of the larynx L above which the mask opening portion 110 isplaced. In this manner, the mask opening portion 110 can serve to blockthe laryngeal opening of the larynx L from the ingress of material orany other object into the larynx L and respiratory system of the patientP, other than the gases which are delivered via the large conduit 204 ofthe airway tube 200.

In the mask portion of FIGS. 2 and 3, the seating tip 120 has ashovel-shaped design. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the fins or gills 122and 125 taper in width from the proximal end to the distal end of theprojecting finger 121. In addition, at least some of the fins or gills122 and/or 125 on the side of the mask portion 100 which faces away fromthe larynx L have a curved shape which extends from one side of twosupport arms 145 projecting outwardly from the projecting finger 121. Asshown in FIG. 2, at least some of the fins or gills 122 on the side ofthe mask portion 100 which faces away from the larynx L may also includeundulations 146 across their width. These undulations 146 are used tocompensate for flexing or expansion of the seating tip 120 in thedirection F as the seating tip is inserted into, and conforms to, thearea above the esophagus E where the pharyngeal side of the cricoid C islocated and upon which the seating tip 120 seats. On the side of thesupport arms 145 opposite the fins or gills 122 are fins or gills 125.These fins or gills 125 preferably do not contain undulations, butinstead compress as the seating tip flexes or expands in the directionF.

The shovel-shaped, tapered and flexible design of the embodiment shownin FIGS. 2 and 3 is preferable in that it can be used in a wide varietyof patients, as the shape and flexibility of the seating tip 120 allowsit to conform to, and seat in, many different sizes and shapes ofpatient airways and sizes and shapes of the area above the esophagus atthe location of the pharyngeal side of the cricoid C where the seatingtip 120 seats.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternative, second embodiment of the mask portion100′ of the present invention. The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, like theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3, includes an upper or proximal mask openingportion 110′ and a lower or distal seating tip 120′. The mask openingportion 110′ includes an opening 101′ which connects with the distal end201 of large conduit 204 in the airway tube 200. A flange 102′ may atleast partially surround the opening 101′ to assist in assembly of theairway tube 200 to the mask portion 100′. The mask opening portion 110′includes a mask opening 111′ which connects the large conduit 204 of theairway tube 200 to the laryngeal opening of the larynx L of the patientP. As shown in FIG. 4, the mask opening 111′ is formed by a plurality ofapertures 142 disposed in and through the surface of the mask openingportion 110′ These apertures 142 are used to pass air, oxygen,anesthesia or other gases from the airway tube 200 through the maskportion 100′ and into the patient's larynx L. The apertures 142 areseparated from one another by a series of bars or grates 143. The barsor grates 143 act to restrain any anatomical portion, and in particularthe epiglottis G, from entering into and blocking or partially blocking,the mask opening 111′, thereby preventing obstruction of the delivery orremoval of gases from the respiratory system of the patient P.

As shown in particular in FIG. 4, the mask opening portion 110′ can beformed to have a shape 112′ which is approximately trapezoidal, whichshape 112′ is designed to closely follow the shape of the laryngealopening of the larynx L above which the mask opening portion 110′ isplaced. In this manner, the mask opening portion 110′ can serve to blockthe laryngeal opening of the larynx L from the ingress of material orany other object into the larynx L and respiratory system of the patientP, other than the gases which are delivered via the large conduit of theairway tube 200.

FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of the mask portion 100″, whichincludes a modified configuration of the fins or gills 122″ andprojecting finger 121″ of the seating tip 120″, as well as a slightlydifferent configuration of the shape 112″ and the mask opening portion110″. The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6, however, is identicalto the embodiments described above.

FIG. 7 shows the artificial airway of the present invention in place ina patient P, with the inflatable cuff 800 uninflated, and in placeadjacent the tongue T and the portion of the oro-pharynx near the uvulaU, but prior to retraction. FIG. 8 shows the artificial airway in placein a patient P, after retraction and inflation of the inflatable cuff800. As shown in FIG. 8, the artificial airway of the present invention,and in particular the mask opening portion 110, seats properly in placeabove the laryngeal opening L of the patient P. As may also be seen inFIG. 8, the seating tip 120 seats in the area above the entrance to theesophagus E against the pharyngeal side of the cricoid C and the portionof the pharynx opposite the pharyngeal side of the cricoid C.

Operation of the various embodiments and methods of their use will nowbe described, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The patient's P mouth isopened and the seating tip 120, airway tube 200 and inflatable cuff 800are lubricated for ease of insertion. The artificial airway of thepresent invention is inserted down the oral cavity O, with the maskopening 111 facing toward the tongue T during insertion. The airway tube200 is pushed inwardly into the oral cavity O and the seating tip 120 isfed along the hard and soft palate, the back of the oropharynx, and intothe cricopharynx adjacent the cricoid C. When resistance is felt due tointeraction between the seating tip and the pharyngeal side of thecricoid C above the entrance to the esophagus E, insertion is halted.That position is shown in FIG. 7. Once the seating tip 120 seats againstthe pharyngeal side of the cricoid C, the individual inserting theartificial airway of the present invention will feel the seating tip 120seating, and therefore will know that the artificial airway of thepresent invention is properly in place. The airway tube 200 may then beretracted or pulled back slightly outwardly, so that the mask openingportion 110 pushes the epiglottis G up and away from the mask opening111, as shown in FIG. 8. Thereafter, the inflatable cuff 800 is expandedby applying fluid under pressure to connector 403, which fluid travelsdown the small conduit of the airway tube 200 and enters the interior ofinflatable cuff 800 to expand inflatable cuff 800 until it contacts thetongue T and the opposed portion of the oro-pharynx behind the uvula U,thereby securing the artificial airway of the present invention inplace. That condition is also shown in FIG. 8. Once the artificialairway is in place, any mechanism or structure which is used for thedelivery of gases to the respiratory system of the patient may beconnected to connection end 300, or the connection end could be leftfree to allow spontaneous ventilation by the patient P.

Thus, there is shown and described a unique design and concept of anartificial airway and method of its use and insertion. While thisdescription is directed to particular embodiments, it is understood thatthose skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations tothe specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any suchmodifications or variations which fall within the purview of thisdescription are intended to be included as part of the invention. It isunderstood that the description herein is intended to be illustrativeonly and is not intended to be limitative. Rather, the scope of theinvention described herein is limited only by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An artificial airway, comprising: an airway tube;a mask opening portion coupled at one end to said airway tube, the maskopening portion including a mask opening in communication with theairway tube; and a seating tip coupled to an opposite end of the maskopening portion, wherein the seating tip includes at least one flexiblefin and wherein at least one flexible fin includes undulations.
 2. Theartificial airway of claim 1, wherein the seating tip includes aplurality of flexible fins, and wherein a first plurality of theflexible fins includes undulations, and wherein a second plurality ofthe flexible fins do not include undulations.
 3. An artificial airway,comprising: an airway tube; and a mask portion, the mask portionincluding a mask opening in communication with the airway tube, and atleast one flexible fin extending radially outward from the mask portion,wherein at least one flexible fin includes undulations.
 4. Theartificial airway of claim 3, wherein the mask portion comprises, at anend opposite to the airway tube, a seating tip.
 5. The artificial airwayof claim 4, wherein the at least one flexible fin extends radiallyoutward from the seating tip.
 6. The artificial airway of claim 5,wherein the seating tip includes a plurality of flexible fins, andwherein a first plurality of the flexible fins includes undulations, andwherein a second plurality of the flexible fins do not includeundulations.
 7. An artificial airway, comprising: an airway tube; a maskportion coupled at one end to the airway tube, the mask portionincluding a mask opening in communication with the airway tube, andincluding at least one bar; and at least one flexible fin extendingradially outward from the mask opening portion.
 8. The artificial airwayof claim 7, wherein: the mask opening includes a plurality of said bars.9. The artificial airway of claim 8, wherein: the mask opening includesa grate.
 10. An artificial airway, comprising: an airway tube; a maskportion, the mask portion including a mask opening in communication withthe airway tube and at least one flexible fin extending radially outwardfrom the mask portion; and an inflatable cuff, the inflatable cuff beingmounted on the airway tube, wherein the inflatable cuff is offset fromthe airway tube.
 11. An artificial airway comprising: a fluid conduitextending from a proximal end to a distal end; a mask opening portionincluding a mask opening in communication with the distal end of thefluid conduit; a compressible seating portion coupled to and extendingfrom a distal end of the mask opening portion, wherein the compressibleseating portion comprises a plurality of flexible fins extendingradially outward therefrom; an inflatable cuff asymmetrically mounted onthe fluid conduit; and an inflation conduit coupled to the inflatablecuff, wherein inflation of the inflatable cuff via the inflation conduitanchors the artificial airway in the patient.
 12. The artificial airwayof claim 11, wherein the seating portion is coupled to the mask openingportion so that, in an operative position, the seating portion ispositioned above the patient's esophagus on the pharyngeal side of thepatient's cricoid.
 13. The artificial airway of claim 11, wherein theplurality of flexible fins are configured such that, when in theoperative position, a first portion of the fins contacts the pharyngealside of the patient's cricoid.
 14. The artificial airway of claim 11,wherein, when the artificial airway is in the operative position,inflation of the inflatable cuff via the inflation conduit positions themask opening in a desired position relative to a laryngeal opening ofthe patient.